Method of and machine for applying tape



; 31, 19. P. H. DIXON 2 3 METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR APPLYING TAPE FiledFeb. 9, 1939 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 31, 1940. P. H. DIXON METHOD OF ANDMACHINE FOR APPLYING TAPE Filed Feb. 9, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 31,-1940. r R DIXON 2,226,808

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR APPLYING TAPE Filed Feb. 9, 1939 4Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 31, 1940.

P. H. DIXON METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR APPLYING TAPE Filed Feb. 9, 1939 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 31, 194$ PATTY tries Mn'rnoD or AND MACHINEFOR APPLYING TAPE 7 Paul H.-Dixon, Wenham, Mass, assignor to United ShoeMachinery Corporation, Borough of Flem-' ington, N. J., a corporation ofNew Jersey Application February 9, 1939, Serial No. 255,470

' 4 Claims. (01. 12-51) y;

This invention relates to methods of taping and taping machines and isherein illustrated with reference to the reinforcement of shoes or'partsthereof by the use of tape.

Shoe parts are commonly reinforced by'th'e use of adhesive tape which isprogressively applied to the shoe part by a pressing member which isarranged to press the tape and work together and to advance the tapeandworkby small-increments and hence at a relatively low speed.Moreover, the tape is commonly applied to the shoe part while thelatter" is in a fiat or otherthan-normal shape with the resultthat whenthe shoe part is embodied in a shoe-the tape usually 15 being applied toa normally concave surface of the shoe part-the forming of the-shoe partinto its normal shape causes the tape ;to pucker with a correspondingloss in i-tsvalue as a reinforce- Prior machines of this type are alsocommonly provided with mechanism for pulling the-tape from a source ofsupply so thattheforce which is required to pull off the tape will nothamper the feed movement of the work and tape. Such 25 delivery of thetape, however, to the point where it is applied. to the work undersubstantially no tension, aggravates the difficulty referred to abovebecause thetape does not become efiective as a reinforcement for theshoe part -to which it 30 is attached until the shoe part has beenstretched to take up the initial resiliency of; the tape.

1 In'view of the foregoing, it is al general object of the invention toprovide an improved method r of and a machine for uniting atape an'dshoepart more rapidly than is possible by the use'of a progressivelyoperated machine and-insuch "a way that the reinforcing tape iseffectual to resist any stretching of the shoe partu Accordingly, theinvention in one aspect provides, an improved method of taping whichconsists in tensioning a length of tape'suificient for a complete tapingoperation to remove its inherent elasticity and, while holding the tapeunder tension, pressing a workpiece and the entire length of tapetogether simultaneously to unite the tape and work piece. By practicingthis method substantially less time is required in the application ofthe entire length of tape than is consumed in applyingfthe tapeprogressively; and because the work is united with thefentire length oftape while it is under tension, any tendency of the tape to pucker onthe work piece is minimized. v

Further to insure against this tendency, the

under substantial tension and pressing. means embodied iria finishedshoe. tendency of the tape to pucker with the disadwrapped about thesupport.

invention also contemplates a method including as steps in 'addition'tothose of the methodstated above that of forming the tape into the shapeit i is to have in a'finished shoe, that is, a concavo- "convexformation, and then while holding the formed tape under tension formingthe, work I one feature, a taping machinecomprising means for clamping'atape against a work support, the clamp and work support then beingmovable to cause a'lengthof tape sufficient for a complete tapingoperation to be wrapped about the support cooperating with the supportto unite a work piece with the entire length of tape on the sup portsimultaneously. 7

Preferably, and as herein illustrated, the shape of the pressing meansand the work support about which the tape is wrapped is substantiallylike that of the shoe part to be reinforced when Accordingly, any

vantages noted above is avoided because the tape and work piece areunited while in their normal zresiliency as it is Wrapped about thesupport, the illustrated machine includes means constituting anotherfeature of the invention arranged to set up such tension in the tape, inaddition to that which is caused by pulling it from itssource of supply,as is necessary to'bring it to a substantially non-stretching conditionwhen it is In accordance with another. feature of the invention, theillustrated work support is provided 1 with opposed work engagingsurfaces adapted to befbrought successively into operative relation withrespect-to the presser member when the work s'upportis rotated, the tapeto be applied in a succeeding operation being wrapped about one of thesesurfaces as the other is moved'to'its inoperative position. I I

, Invention'i's also to be recognized in the tape clamping e ns referredto above which comprises clamps associated with each of the work-engaging surfaces of the support and means for operating the] clamps sothat the tape is held clamped under tension throughout the tape ap--plying operation against that work engaging surface of the support whichis in operative position, one clamp being retracted from and thenadvanced toward the support during each rotative movement of the latterthereby to grip a succeeding length of tape against the supportpreparatory to its being pulled from the source of supply.

To facilitate the cutting of the length of tape on the support from thesucceeding tape, each clamp is constructed in accordance with anotherfeature of the invention so as to c1 amp- -the tape against the supportat spaced points 'between which the tape is to be cut. Thus, the tapespanning the points where it isclamped is held taut during the cuttingoperationan'd both'en'ds of the tape adjacent to the cut'arehel'clagainst the support.

The invention also provides an .improved mounting for a pressing memberadapted to press .a workpiece against a support whichpermitsxunobstructed movement of work pieces onto the work support andtheir removal'therefrom. To this end, .the invention provides means" formoving the pressing member'from' an inoperative positionnormallyfaboveand behind thesupport, first forwardly, and then heightwise ofthesupport into engagement With'the'work ,piece thereon, the movement ofthe pressing member forwardly of the support being arrested when thepressing memberis directly above the support.

These and other features of the invention will appear more'fully fromthe following detailed description when read in connection withtheiaccompanying drawings and will be ,pointed out-in the appendedclaims.

In the drawings,

'Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an illustrativemachine embodying theinvention, aportionof the frame having been broken away to expose theoperating mechanism; 7 I

. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine illustrated inFig.'1, partsof theoperating mechanism for the pressing member being omitted;

Fig. 3is an enlarged front elevationnof thero tatable work support andthe mechanism cooperating therewith to clamp and sever the tape;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the machine shown toward its operativeposition.

The illustrated machine comprises-a form l adapted to be engaged by theridge, of the back seam S of a quarter Q (Fig. 5), guides l2'(Figs. 1and 4) disposed at oppositesides of the form and adapted to engage thesides of the ridge and portions' of the quarter adjacent-thereto, and arotatable support or member l4 (Fig. 3) adapted to be engaged bya'marginal portion of thequarter V at each side of the seam ridgeadjacent to its top edge, the form, guides and support alsobeing soshaped as to support the quarterin substantially its' normal curvatureboth longitudinally and transversely of the seam ridge. When the supportor member" I4 -is*rotated alength of tapeT, sufficient for a complete ittaping operation, is

drawn ffrom a source of supply under sufiicient tension to remove itsinherent elasticity, is

united-andthe quarter to be shaped into its desired rpm; The pressingmember is then raised to permit the removal of the taped quarter fromthe formfthe attached length of tape having been cut fr'omthetraiilingsupply strip. The rotat- 'able support isthen turned through 180 to drawoff'another-length'of tape and to present it into position to be appliedto the next work piece to be taped.

Referring more specifically to the means in the illustrated machinefor-positioning and supporting-pf the quartenQ, the form I0 is securedto the front of the frame 20"by'a-screw-22 (Fig. 1). The quarterisplaced over the pair'of-guides l2 the upper portions of which closelyembrace the sides of"theform/l-0-and are: spaced sufficiently to receivethe 'seam ridge therebetween. Thus, when the lquarterr-is t pulleddownwardly by the operator against the guides 12, the latter-engage the;sides of the seam ridge-and straighten'it 1ongitudinallyand alsoform thequarter transversely of theseam. lnresponse to the downward pressure ofthe quarter-against the guides the guides fIYielddownwardly beingmounted to slide vertically between plates 24 integral with the form l0, (the plates 24 carrying screws-26 (Fig. 4) which'extend throughvertically elongated slots 21 in the guides I2. Theguides are normallyheld in their uppermost positions and separated fromeach other at-theirupper ends by a spring 28 kwhich connects the lower ends of the guidesI2,;the latter being-adaptedto bearagainst a cam-member 30 which isfixed to the form [0 h by means of screws 32. The .camsurfaces ofthemember 130 aareso shaped as to cause the top edges ofthetguides I! toapproach each other at the same rate as-they are lowered so aseventually -to-grip tha sides of the: portion of the seam ridge whichextends'beyond .theline of stitching when the edgeiface of .the seamridge is in engagement with" the form [0 thereby insuring the alinementof the seam ridgewith'the middle of the form.

'Thesupport l4 isv provided withopposed tape supportingsurfaces'theshape of whichcorresponds to that ofthe upper surfaces oftheguides l2 when in their operativepositionandisfixed to a shaft34(Fig. 1) one end of which is rotatably mounted .at'38 in the frame 20adjacent to the formf'l'll. 'Near. its opposite end,.the-shaft 34 isrotata-bly mounted. in'the'outerend of alug 38 extending" toward thecenter of the machine from the left-hand'side of the frame 20 (Fig. 2).The opposed tape supporting, surfaces of the support M are adapted tobembroughtsuccessively into their operative position (in which the uppersurfaces of the 'support andguides l2 are continuous with each other),byintermittent rotative movements or the shaft'i34 through. one-half ofa revolution. Thusfiduring each half revolution of the support'lkitfpulls off'alength of tape sufiiunder tension and is cut from thetrailing length of tape as will now be described in detail.

The combined tape clamping and cutting device l6 includes duplicatein'strumentalities, one being disposed at eachside of the support, eachcomprising an arm 40 having an elongated slot 42 which permits the arm40 to slide axially of the support l4 and With respectv to a block 44which, by means of a screw 45, is pivoted to a collar 48 fixed to theshaft 34. Each arm 40 carries at its forward end a knife 50 (Fig. '3)which, when the arm 40 is swungtoward the support I4, cooperates withanother knife 52 mounted at one-side of a recess 54 in the support tosever the tape T. The knife 52 is adjustably fixed to the rear side ofthe support M by a screw 53 which passes through a slot in the shank ofthe knife so as to permit the knife edge, upon being sharpened, to beset flush with the work engaging surface of the support l4. In order toinsure that the tension in the tape T will not be relieved either beforeor after it is cut, the illustrated machine is provided with meanspresently to be described for clamping each end of the tape against thesupport throughout each taping operation. This means comprises clampingmembers 56 and 58 associated with each of the arms 40 both of whichcooperate with the support E4 to clamp the tape 'thereagainst before thecutting edges of the knives 50 and 52 pass each other. The member 56 isfixed to the arm 40 and is adapted to enter the recess 54 just ahead ofthe knife 50 and cooperate with a shoulder 60 at the side of the recessopposite to the knife 52 to clamp against the support 14 the leading endof the trailing portion of the tape before and after it is cut.Similarly, the member 58 is pivoted to the arm 40 at 62 and is normallyheld in a position overlying the cutting edge of the knife 50 by aspring 64. Thus, when the cutting and clamping device 56 is moved towardthe support 14 the member 58 also clamps the trailing end of the lengthof tape T against the support l4 before it is severed, the member 58being permitted to yield by the spring 64 so as not to inhibit themovement of the arm 4i] which is necessary to cause the knife 50 tosever the tape. a

The tape is tensioned and is directed in alinement with the support M bybeing led between rolls E56, 68 rotatably mounted on the frame 20 belowthe support It, adjustable friction means of any suitable type beingassociated with the roll 68 so as to set up sufiicient tension in thetape which is wound about the support I4 'to remove substantially all ofits inherent elasticity.

The operation of the combined tape clamping and cutting devices [6 willnow be traced through 360 of their movement fromtheir positions asillustrated in Fig. 3. A work piece having been pressed against thelength of the tape T in Fig. 3, the support l4 (and the devices l6) areswung through 180. Atthe beginning of this movement, the forward end ofthe left-hand arm 40 is swung away from the support M to unclamp theleading end of the tape T permitting the work piece with the tapeattached thereto to be removed from the machine against the yielding,

clamping action of the right-hand clamping member 58. The right-hand,clamping device 16 is maintained in its operative relation with respectto the support Mthroughout this rotative ,movement thereby. causing theleading end of a freslrlengtlroftape to be securely held between thesupport 54*. and .the clamping member 56 whereby a new lengthof tape T,sumcient for a succeeding taping operation, is drawnunder tension fromthe source of supply and is wrapped about the formerly lower surface ofthe support I 4. During the corresponding movement of the left-handclamping and cutting device l6 toward the right-hand side of themachine, after being retracted from the work support radially as statedabove, it is then moved axially of the sup-- port rearwardly of themachine so as to avoid any interference with the rolls 66, 68 or withthe tape at the lower side of the support. Subsequently,iand justbefore. the completion of the 180 rotative movement of this device l6into its right-hand position, it is advanced axially of the support l4so that itoverlies the tape and then is moved radially of the supportagain to clamp and sever the tape as indicated by the position of theright-hand clamping device [4 in Fig. 3. Thus, during the continuedoperation of the machine both ends of the tape T are clamped throughoutthe applying operation insuring that the tape will be applied to thework while under tension and while it conforms to the normal transversecurvature of the work piece. This operation of the clamping devices I4is effected by the mechanism now to be described.

' This mechanism comprises a cam 69 (Fig. 2) which is fixed to the lug38 and has a groove 10 the bottom surface of which effects the movementof the arms 40 radially of the support I4 and the sides of which movethe arms 40 axially of the support in the. manner described above. Thegroove 10 is arranged to receive the heads of screws 72- which arethreaded in the rear ends of the arms 40 and may be locked in adjustedposition thereon by means of nuts 14. The screws 12 are held seated inthe groove 10 by springs H5 which connect the arms 40 with a pin I8fixed to the shaft 34.

The above described operation of the clamping and cutting devices 16results from their being rotated bodily with respect to the cam 69 byoperator controlled mechanism comprising a bevel pinion 89 rotatablymounted on the shaft 34 and adapted to be driven by a segmental gear 82which is mounted to swing freely on a. shaft 84 journaled in the frame20. The shaft84 carries at its right-hand end a pulley 86 adapted to bedriven by a belt from any suitable source of power. The gear 82 isoperated by a link 88 which is connected at its lower end to a treadle90 (Fig. 1) which is normally urged upwardly by a spring 92 connectingthe treadle with the bottom of the frame 20. Thus, when the treadle 90is lowered the pinion is rotated in a counterbeing fixed on the rearmostend of the shaft 34.

Each rotative movement of the shaft 34 is stopped at such a point thatone of the tape supporting surfaces of the support 14 is in itsoperativeposition by means comp-rising a collar I00 fixed to the shaft34 and bored to receive a spring pressed ball I02 which cooperates witheither of two recesses I04 formed in the cam 69.

Assuming now that a length of tape T has been drawn from the source ofsupply and is brought to its position as illustrated in Fig. 3,

a shoe quarter to which the tape is to be applied across its back'seam,as indicated in.-Fig. .5, is placed, overthe form I and is loweredthereagainst by theoperator as explained above. The operator thenactuates mechanism now to be described which causes the pressing memberI8 to bemoved toward the form to press the quarter against the tape, andto flatten the seam ridge and shape thequarter in the vicinity of theseam ridge about the guides I2 and the sup- .port I4. The pressingmember I8 is carried by a bent lever I06 having a cylindrically shapedend I68 which is seated in a complementalrecess in the pressing memberI8. To facilitate the placing of work pieces on the form I0 the leverI06, between successive pressing operations, is swung rearwardly of andabove the form on a link IIO which is pivotally connected to the frame20 at H2, and to the lever I06 by a pin I I4. The lever I06 is operatedby a toggle comprising links II6, H8 which are pivoted to each other atI20, the link II6 being pivoted to the lever I06 at I22. The link H8 ismounted to slide in an arm I24 and a bushing I26 threaded in another armI 26, the arms being formed integrally with a lever I30, the hub ofwhich is arranged to pivot freely on the shaft 84. A spring I32 at oneend abuts the bushing I26 and at the other end a shoulder I34 on thelink I I8, thereby tending normally to urge the link II8 upwardly withrespect to the lever I30, this movement being limited by check nuts I36adapted to engage the lower edge of the bushing I26. To adjust thepressure of the pressing member I8 against the work piece, as will bedescribed later, the bushing I26, which is threaded in the arm I28, maybe turned in or out of the arm so as to vary the stress in the springI32.

To begin the pressing operation, the lever I30 is swung downwardly (Fig.6) by the operator by lowering a treadle I38 to which is pivoted alinkI40, the latter being connected at I42 to the lever I30. The lever I30is thus lowered to such an extent that a cam roll I44 rotatably mountedon the end of the lever I30 ismoved through a peripheral opening of acam track I46 in a cam I48 mountedto rotate freely on a shaft I50 whichis rotatably mounted in bearings in the sides of the frame'20. Duringthis movement of the lever I30, the operating mechanism for the pressingmember I8 is moved first from its position as illustrated in Fig. 6 tothe position indicated in Fig. 7, the link IIO having been swungforwardly until the pressing member I8 is directly over the form I0,this movement of the link IIO being limited by a set screw I52 which isthreaded in the upper end of the link H0 and is adapted to bear againstthe frame During this movement no relative rotation occurs between thetoggle links H6 and H8 such rotation being prevented by a spring I54fastened at one end to the pivot I22 and at its other end to a pin I56carried by the link H6. The spring I54 thus tends to hold an adjustableset screw I58 threaded in the link II6 against an extension I60 of thelink II8. However, further movement of the leverI30 beyond the pointwhere the screw I52 engages the frame 20, causes the toggle links I I6,H8 to be straightened and the link I I8 to yield against the pressure ofthespring I32 thereby setting up a yielding pressure of the pressingmember I8 against the work piece on the guides I2 and support I4. Towardthe ,end of the movement of the lever I30 into the cam track. I46,operating mechanism for the cam I58, presently to be described, istripped and causes the cam I48 to be power operated through a completerevolution during which the cam, because of the eccentric shape of thetrack I46, causes the presser member I8 to be held down with anincreased pressure against the work. This operating mechanism comprisesthe shafts 84 and I50, referred to above, which are continuouslyrotated, the shaft I50 being connected to the shaft 84 by means of anintermediate shaft I62 which is journaled in bearings in the lefthandside wall of the frame I8 and carries at its rear end a bevel gear I64meshing with another bevel-gear I66 fixed to the shaft 84. The shaftI62, near its forward end, carries a worm I68 which meshes with a gearI69 fixed to the shaft I50. Splined on the shaft I50 for axial movementwith respect thereto is a sleeve I the left-hand end ofwhich is groovedat I12 to receive the forked arm I14 (Fig. 4) of a bell crank I16 whichis pivoted at I18 to the base of the frame.20, the other arm I80 of thebell crank being disposed in the path of a member I62 fixed .to thetreadle rod I40. As the lever I36 is moved to bring the roll I44 intoalinement with the cam track I46, the member I82 strikes a detent I84having a tooth I86 which normally abuts a shoulder I81 (Fig. 6) in theperiphery of the cam I48. The detent I84 is arranged to slide verticallyin a bore I88 formed in a lug I00 extending upwardly from the base ofthe frame and is normally held in engagement with the cam I48 by aspring I92. Simultaneously with the downward movement of the detent I84out of engagement with the cam I48, the sleeve I10 is moved to the right(Figs. 2 and 4) with respect to the shaft I50 by the arm I14 to cause aclutch face I94 on the sleeve I10 to engage a complemental clutchelement I96, which is fixed to the cam I48 by means of screws I98,thereby establishing a driving connection between the shaft I50 and thecam I48. Immediately after the'beginning of the rotation of the cam I48,the roll I44 on the lever I is received in the cam track I46 therebyrelieving the operator of the-necessity of holding the treadle I38 down.However, toward the end of a complete revolution of the cam I48, whenits peripheral opening is above the roll I44, the lever I30 is permittedto rise suddenly under the influence of a spring 200 (Fig. 1) whichconnects the treadle I38 with the bottom of the frame 20. Thus, as thelever I30is again raised toward its uppermost position the clutchelement I94 is separated fromthe clutch element I96 thereby interruptingthe drive of the cam I48 the rotation of which is stopped in apredetermined position as illustrated in Fig. 6 by the engagement of the"tooth I86 of the detent I04 with the shoulder I81 on the cam I46.Moreover, as the lever I30 thus suddenly rises, the toggle I I6, H8 isbroken, the link H0 is swung rearwardly, and the pressing member I6 islifted above the-form I0 and moved rearwardly thereof to facilitate theremoval of the taped work piece from the support I0.

The operation of the illustrated machine and its use in carrying out themethod aspect of the invention will now be summarized. Assuming that thefriction means associated with the roll 68 isso adjusted as to set upsufiicient resistance in the tape to remove its inherent elasticity, thesupport I4 is rotated-when the treadle 90 is tripped by the operator'to.draw a length of tape T sufficient for a complete taping operation fromthe source of supply, this length of tape being gripped atits leadingend between claim as new and desire tosecure. by Letters the supportand. the .clampingmember ,56. As described above, toward theendof each180 movement of the support I4the, combined clamping and. cutting deviceI6,'.then at the righthand side of the machine (Fig. 3), is actuated bythe rotative .movementof the arm 4IIv relatively to the cam '69 to causethe trailing end of the tape to be similarly clamped against the supportby the clamping member 58 whereby the length oftape T, while wrappedabout the support, is maintained under the same state of tension' aswhen it was drawn between the rolls 86 and 68. At the same time theleading end of the succeeding. length of tape is also clamped againstthe support I4 by the clamping member 56 and just before the supportcomes to rest,

the knife 58 passes the knife 52 thereby'severing the tape between thesections thereof clamped against the support by the members 56 and58.

While the tape Tis thus held under tension on the support I4, theoperator places a shoe quarter or other workpiece to'be reinforced overthe guides I2 with the seam ridge of the work piece, if it is a shoequarter, extending downwardly between the upper edges of the guides. Thequarter while grasped by the operator ateach side of the seam is thenlowered causing the portions of the quarters contiguous to the seam toassume the shape of the guides I2 and bringing the end face of the seamridge substantially into contact with the form I0. During this movementof the work piece the guides I2, under the control of the cam member 38,gradually approach each. other so: that their upper edges. engagingthesides of the seam ridge restrain the latter against lateraldisplacement, straighten it and aline it with the longitudinal centerline of the form Ill.

The operator then [depresses the treadle I38 which first causes thepressing member I8 to be held with'a light yielding pressure against thework piece. Further downward movement of the treadle causes. theinter-engagement of the clutch elements I94 and I98 which then drive thecam I48 through a complete revolution which, through the above describedoperating mechanism" for the pressing member I8, causes the latter toexert a gradually increasing and then diminishing pressure on the workpiece throughout one revolution of the cam I48 without the help of theoperator. As the work supporting surfaces of the guides l2 and support Mare shaped in conformity to the shape which the shoe quarter is to havein a finished shoe and since the work engaging surfaces of the pressingmember I8 and support I4 are coextensive with the area of the work towhich the tape is to be attached, the Work piece is shaped and unitedwith the entire length of tape simultaneously. while'in its normal stateof curvature. Thus, any puckering of the tape in the finished shoe isavoided.

As the cam I48 approaches the end of eac revolution, its peripheralopening permits the lever I30, and hence the pressing member I8, to riseabove and rearwardly of the form I0. At the beginning of the succeedingpressing and taping operation, the left-hand clamping-and severingdevice It is retracted from the support It thereby freeing the leadingend of the tape which is attached to the work piece, and permitting theoperator to withdraw the work piece from the form.

Having thus described my invention, what I Patent of'the United Statesis:

1. That improvement in methods of taping which consists in tensioning alength of tape suflicient for a complete taping operation sub.-stantially to remove its inherent elasticity, and while holding the tapeunder tension, pressing a work piece against the entire length'of tapesimultaneously to unite the tape and work piece.

2. That improvement in :methods of taping which consists in tensioning alength of adhesive tape sufiicient for a complete taping operationsubstantially to remove its .inherentelas ticity, forming thetape intothe shape it is-to have in a finished shoe, and while holding the formedtape under tension, pressing a work piece against the entire length oftape simultaneously to unite the tape and work piece. 3. Thatimprovement in methods of taping which consists in drawing from'a sourceof supply a length of adhesive tape sufficient for a complete tapingoperation, tensioning .the'said length of tape substantially to removeits' inherent elasticity, ,and pressing a work piece against the'entiretensioned length of tape simultaneously. v

4. That improvement in methods ofitaping which consists in drawing froma source of supply a length j of adhesive tape sufficientflfor acomplete taping operation under such. tension as to remove substantiallyall of its inherent elasticity, imparting a concavo-convex formation tosaid tape while under tension, and pressing a work piece against theentire formed and tensioned length of tape simultaneously.

5. That improvement in methods of taping which consists in drawing froma source of supply under tension sufficient to remove its inherentelasticity, a length of adhesive tape adequate for a complete tapingoperation, and while holding the tape under tension, pressing a workpiece and the entire length of tape together simultaneously.

6. That improvement in methods of taping which consists in tensioning alength of tape adequate-for a complete taping operation sufiiciently toremove its inherentelasticityyforming said length of tape while undertension anda 1 work piece into substantially the shape they are to havein a finished shoe, and pressing the'work piece and the entire tensionedlength of tape together simultaneously. 7 i I 7. That improvement inmethods of taping which consists in tensioninga length. of tapesuflicientfor a complete taping-operation substantially to remove itsinherent elasticity, and

while holding the tape under tension, pressing a work piece againstthe.,entire length; of tape simultaneously to unite the tape and workpiece, and cutting the tape. 8. That improvement in methods ,of tapingwhich consists in shaping a length of tape suffi cient for a completetaping operation into the form it' is to have in a'finished shoe,tensioning the formed tape, and while holding the tape un--] 10; Inataping machine, means ior'tensioning a length of adhesivetapesufiici'ent for a complete taping operation substantially to removeits inherent elasticity, means for forming the tape into the shape it isto'have in a finished'shoe, means for holding the formed tape undertension, and means for pressing a 'work piece. against the entire lengthof tape simultaneously to unite the tape and work piece.

11. In a' taping'machine, a work' support, a clam-pcooperating'with'said support to grip a tape, said support and'clamp being mounted tomove as a unit to "cause a'length' of tape to be wrapped about saidsupport, a member cooperating with said support'to press a work pieceagainstthe tape, and means for alternately movi'ngsaid member andsaidsupport and clamp.

12. In .a taping machine, a work support, a

pressing" member, means 'for clamping a tape against :the work support,saidisuppor't and clamp being rotatable as a unit to cause a length oftape sufiici'enti'for a complete taping operation to be. wound aboutsaidsupport, and means for alternately rotating said" support and Zclamp and moving said pressing member toward said support to press awork piece against said'tape and support. I 13. In a taping machine: awork support, pressing means, said support. and means being alternatelymovable relatively to each other to unitean adhesive tape and workpiecedisposed therebetween, and tape "clamping means associated withsaid support, said" support and tape clamping means being mountedto movetogether to cause alength of tape sufficient for a completetapingoperation to be drawn from-the sourceof supply, wrapped about saidsupport and presented to the pressing means.

14. In a taping machine, a work'support, pressing means, said supportand means being mov able relatively toeach other to unite an adhesivetape andwork piece disposed therebetween, a clamp constructed andarranged to grip the tape, and means for operating said clamp to causeit successively to grip'and release the tape, saidsupportand clamp beingmounted to move together while the tape is clamped to cause a length oftape sufii'cient fora complete taping operation to be drawn fromthesource of supply and to be wrapped about said support.

15. In a taping machine, a work support mounted for movement between anoperative and inoperative position, a pressing, member, a clampcooperating with said support to hold a tape thereagainst, means foroperating said clamp constructed and arranged to cause the clamp to holdthev tape against the support .as it is moved from its inoperativeposition to its operative position, means for'successively retractingthe clamp, from and advancing the clamp toward said ,work support duringits movement from its operative position to its inoperative position,and means for moving said pressing member toward said work support afterthe latter has been moved into its operative, position;

16. In a taping machine, a work support, a clamp cooperating with saidsupport to hold an adhesive tape thereagainst, said support andclampbeing mounted to move together to cause a lengthof tape to bewrapped about said support, means for resisting the feedgmovementof thetape-whereby it is tensioned sufiiciently to remove the inherentelasticity from the tape on the support, and pressingmeans cooperatingwith ls'aid.supportitolpressxthe'tape and a work piece together wherebythey areradhesively united. -;17'.'"In atapingmacliinaga worksupport, apres'singmeinber,said support and member being mounted rformovementrelatively to each other -to'ipress togethera'I wo'rk piece andtape disposed therebetween, means for clamping the tape againstsaidsupportf means for moving said support and clamping means betweeneach pressingopei'ation' to" cause a length of tape sufiicient foriacomplete: tapingoperation to be wrapped about said support, and meansfor cutting the tape. l L

'18; In :a' taping: machine, a rotatable work support carrying afclampadapted to hold the .tape againstwisaid support, ,a cutter associatedwith said clamp, said' cutter and clamp being mounted to'move togethertoward and away from said; support? successively'to clamp and cut the-tape;'.a pressing member, and means for alternatelymoving saidzpressingmember toward and away from said support and rotating said worksupportfi I I9; Ina taping machine, awork support having a pluralityofawork' engaging surfaces, means for periodically rotating said supportto bring said surfaces successively into operative position, means forclamping said tape against said work support prior'to each rotationthereof, means for'pressing .a work piece" against the tape onsaidisupport,"and'means' operable after the tape has been'clampedagainst said support to cut the taper 20. In avtaping: machine, a worksupport, a clamp cooperating with said support to grip a tape disposedtherebetween, said clamp and support being movable together to cause alength of tape to be drawn from: the source of supply, saidclamp' beingmounted to move with respect to said 'supriort towald and awaytherefrom, and means/actuated by'the movement ofsaid supportand clamptogether to move said clamp with respectfito saidsupportto grip thetape.

21; In a taping machine, a work support, a clamp cooperating with said"support to grip a tape disposed therebetween, said support and clampbeing mounte'dto rotate together to cause a length of tape to bewrappedabout said support, and-means" actuated by the rotation of said supportand clamp for moving said clamp toward and: away from saidsupport togrip and release the tape respectivelym 22. In a taping machine, arotatable work support, a clamp mounted-for movement axially andradially ;of said support to gripa tape disposed therebetween, saidsupport and clamp being mounted to rotate-together to cause the tape tobe. drawn from the source of.,supply and to be wrapped about saidsupport, and means arranged to utilize the vrotative movement of saidclamp to move the latter toward and away from said support. r

'23. In a taping machine, a work support, a clamp ,cooperating with saidsupport to grip a tape disposed therebetween, said support andclampbeing mounted to move together to cause a length of tape to bedrawn from a source of supply, and means actuated by the movementof'saidsupport and clamp for moving said clamp toward and away from saidsupport, said means comprising a cam and a springarranged to hold saidclamp against said cam.

24." In a taping'machine, a work support, a tape clamp associated withsaidsupport, said support andcla-mp being mounted to rotate tospect tosaid support, said means comprising a gether to cause a length of tapeto be drawn from a source of supply and to be wrapped about saidsupport, and means for operating said tape clamp com-prising a camshaped and'arranged successively to cause said clamp to grip the tapeand then to release the tape.

25. In a taping machine,- a work support mounted to rotateintermittently, a tape clamp mounted for movement axially and radiallyof said support to grip a tape disposed therebetween, and means foroperating said clamp during one rotative movement of said support toclamp the tape,- said, means being arranged to move said clamp radiallyand axially with respect to said support simultaneously during asucceeding rotative movement of said support to release the tape.

26. In a taping machine, a rotatable work support, tape clamping meanscarried by said support, said means comprising a lever mounted to slideand swing on said support, means for operating said lever in response torotative movement of said support, said means comprising cam surfacesshaped and arranged tomove said lever radially and axially with respectto said support simultaneously.

27. In a taping machine, a rotatable work support, a clamping membercooperating with said support to grip a tape disposed therebetween, saidclamping member being mounted to slide on a fulcrum about which saidmember is adapted to swing radially of said support, and meansconstructed and arranged to utilize the rotative movement of said worksupport simultaneously to cause said member to slide axially and swingradially with respect to said support.

28. In a taping machine, a work support, a clamp mounted for movementaxially and radially of said support to grip the tape, said support andclamp bein mounted for movement together to cause a length of tapesufiicient for a complete taping operation to be wrapped about saidsupport, and means actuated by the movement of said clamp with saidsupport for moving said clamp simultaneously radially and axially ofsaid support.

29. In a taping machine, a work support, a tape clamp associated withsaid support, means for intermittently moving said support and clamptogether to cause a length of tape to be drawn from a source of supply,and means for operating said clamp during one of its movements with thesupport-to clamp the tape, said means being arranged to utilize asucceeding movement of the support and clamp to cause said clamp torelease the tape. I

30. In a taping machine, a work support, a tape clamp mounted formovement toward and away from said support to clamp and release a tapedisposed therebetween, said support and clamp being mounted forintermittent rotative movement, and means for operatingsaid clamp duringone rotative movement of said support to clamp the tape thereagainst,said means being arranged to move said clamp away from said support torelease the tape during a succeeding rotative movement of said support.

31. In a taping machine, a work support, a tape clamp cooperating withsaid support to grip a tape disposed therebetween, said support andclamp being mounted to move together intermittently to cause a length oftape to be drawn from a source of supply, and means arranged to utilizethe movement of said support and clamp together to move said clamp withrecam shaped and arranged to hold said clamp against the tape againstsaid support during one of its movements and to -move said clamp torelease the tape during the succeeding movement of said support.

- 32. In a taping machine, a work support, a tape clamp associated withsaid support, means for intermittently moving said support and clamptogether to cause a length of tape to be'drawn from a source of supply,clamp operating means arranged to cause said clamp to-hold the tapeagainst said support throughout one of its movements, a second tapeclamp, said clamp operating means being arranged to cause said secondclamp to be moved successively out of and then into engagement with thetape on said support during the said movement thereof.

33. In a taping machine, a work support, a pair of tape clamps carriedby said support, means for intermittently rotating said support andclamps together to cause a'length of tape tobe drawn from a source ofsupply, and clamp operating means comprising a cam constructed andarranged to cause one of said clamps to hold the tape against saidsupport during one movement thereof and successively to move the secondclamp away from and then toward said work sup- 7 port during the'samemovement thereof.

34. In a taping machine, a'work support, a pair of tape clampscooperating with said support to hold an adhesive tapethereagainst, saidsupport and clamps being movable together intermittently to draw lengthsof tape from a source of supply, clamp operating means arranged toutilize the movement of said support and clamps together to move saidclamps toward and away from said support, said means comprising a camshaped and arranged to cause one of said clamps to hold the tape againstsaid support during one movement thereof and to move the other clampsuccessively away from and then into engagement with the tape on saidsupport during the same movement thereof. 9

35. In a taping machine, a work support and a tape clamp associated withsaid support, said support and clamp being intermittently movabletogether to cause a length of tape to be wrapped about said support,said clamp being constructed and arranged yieldingly to clamp an end ofthe tape on said support and positively to clamp an end of the tape tobe wound upon the work support during a succeeding movement thereof.

36. In a taping machine, an intermittently movable work support, tapeclamping means cooperating with said support when it is moved to draw alength of tape from a source of supply, said means comprising clampingmembers arranged to clamp the tapeat spaced points against said supportand a cutter arranged tosever the tape between the clamped portionsthereof.

37. In a taping machine, a work support, tape clamping means,saidsupport and tape clamping means being movable together to draw alength of tape from a source of supply, said means comprising a pair ofclamping members, operating means'for said members arranged to cause oneof them to hold the leading end of the tape against said support duringone movement thereof, the other clamping member being arranged to gripthe trailing end of the tape on said support and the leading end of thesucceeding length of tape, the last mentioned clamping member car- 38.Ina taping, machine, a work support; having opposed work engagingsurfaces, a pressing member mounted for movement intermittently towardand away from said support, means for rotating said work support betweensuccessive movements of said pressing member to cause said surfaces tobe moved between operative and inoperative positions, clamping membersfor holding a length of tape at spaced points against said support, andmeans operable during each rotation of said support to hold one of saidclamping members in operative relation to said support and to cause theother member to be successively retracted from and advanced intooperative rela- I tion to said support during the same movement thereof.

39. ha taping machines a work support, a clamp cooperating with saidsupport to gripa tape, said clamp and support being rotatable'to wind alength of tape about said support, a second clamp for holding said, tapeagainst said support at a point spaced from the first mentioned clamp, ashear associated with said second clamp to cut the tape, and meanscooperat- ;ing with said support topress a work piece against the tapeon said support.

40. In a. taping machine, a work support having opposed work engagingsurfaces, means for rotating said work support to move its said surfacesbetween operative and inoperative positions, clamps for holding a lengthof tape at spaced points against said support, means for operating saidclamps constructed and arranged tohold one in operative relation to saidsupport and to cause the other clamp to (be successively retractedirom'and advanced into operative relation to said support duringitsmovement between successive positions, means for pressing a work pieceagainst the length. of tape between said clamps, and means for cuttingthe tape.

41. In a taping machine, a rotatable work support, a pair of clampsmounted to rotate with said support, a shear associated with each ofsaid clamps, means for moving each of said clamps alternately out-of andinto operative relation with respect to said support, a pressing membermounted for movement toward and awayirom said support, and means foroperating said member and one of said shears successively to press awork piece against the tape and cut the tape.

42. In a machine for operatingupon a work piece having a seam ridge, aseam ridge support, guides disposed at opposite sides of said supportand mounted for movement heightwise and laterally thereof, a memberassociated with and arranged to utilize their movement heightwise ofsaid support to move them laterally thereof, and a pressing membercooperating-with said support to press the seam ridge, said guides andmember cooperating with each other to pressthe portions of the workpiececontiguous to the seam ridge.

43. In a machine for operating upon a work piece having a seam ridge,aseam ridge support, guides overlying said support and'being spaced toreceive a seam ridge therebetween, said guides being mounted foryielding movement toward said support, means arranged to utilize theyielding movement of said guides to cause. eaclrof them to be movedtoward the other at thetsame rate whereby the seam ridge is grippedbetween them and alined with said support, and a pressing membercooperatingwith said support andguides to press the seam ridge andportions of the work piece contiguous thereto.

44pm a machine for operating upon a work piece havinga seam ridge, aseamridge support, guides mounted to slide toward said support and to swingtoward each other, said guides normally being spaced so as toreceive aseam ridge therebetween, connections between said guides arranged toutilize their sliding movement toward said support to cause them to beswung toward each other, and. a pressing member cooperating with saidsupport to press the seam ridge and co operatingwith said guides topress the portions of the work piece contiguous to the ridge.

45. In a lnachine for use in making shoes, a work support, a pressingmember disposed normally above and behind said support, means for movingsaid pressing member forwardly and heightwise of said support intoengagement with a work piece thereon, and means for arresting movementof said member forwardly of said support when said member is directlyabove said support.

46. In a machine for use in. making shoes, a worksupport, a. pressingmember, a lever on which said member is mounted, a link connected tosaid lever and mounted to swing toward and away from said support, andmeans for operatingsaid-lever to swing said link toward said support andthen to move said pressing member heightwise.- of said-support intoengagement with a work piece thereon.

47;,In a machine for use in making shoes, 2.

work support, a. pressing member, and operating meansfor said membercomprising a lever, a toggle connected to said lever and a fulcrum forsaid lever, said. fulcrum being movable toward and away from said.support.

48. In a machine for. use in making shoes, a worlesupport, a pressingmember, means for operating said member comprising a lever and a toggleconnected to said lever, means for yieldingly holding. said toggle incollapsed condition, and a fulcrum for said lever mounted for limitedmovement toward saidsupport, said toggle being constructed. and arrangedto be straightened to swing. said member about said fulcrum heightwiseof said support after said fulcrum has reached, the limit. of itsmovement toward said support.

49. In a machine for use in making shoes, a worksupport, a pressingmember, a lever carrying said. member, said lever being mounted forlimited movement forwardly of saidsupport and toswing heightwisethereof, a rotatably mounted toggle, and means for holding said. togglein collapsed condition, said. toggle being arranged to be rotated whilein, collapsed condition to move said lever forwardly; of said supportand then to be straightened whereby said lever is. swung heightwise ofsaid support into engagement with a workpiece thereon.

. PAUL I-I. DIXON.

